BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese farmers saw their per capita annual net income rise to a historic high of 5,000 yuan (735 U.S. dollars) in 2009 despite the economic hardships, official data showed on Monday.

    The figure was an increase of more than 6 percent from a year ago, according to a statement issued by the annual central conference on rural work which concluded on Monday.

China's annual central rural work conference opens in Beijing

    BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's annual central conference on rural work, which would set the tone for next year's agricultural and rural development, opened here on Sunday morning.

    As China's economic recovery continues, the meeting is expected to study policies and measures to improve coordinated development between urban and rural areas and reinforce the basis for the development of agriculture and rural regions.  Full story